fundations level 1 scope and sequence

3 min read 06-12-2024

Fundations Level 1 is a highly structured, systematic phonics program designed to equip young learners with a strong foundation in literacy. This article provides a detailed scope and sequence overview, highlighting the key skills and concepts covered throughout the program. Understanding this sequence will help educators, parents, and students alike navigate the curriculum effectively.

Key Areas of Focus in Fundations Level 1

Fundations Level 1 emphasizes a multi-sensory approach, engaging students through various activities and techniques. The core components include:

Phonemic Awareness: This is the bedrock of the program. Students develop the ability to hear and manipulate the individual sounds (phonemes) in words. Activities include rhyming, blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds.
Phonics: This section focuses on the letter-sound correspondences. Students learn to decode and encode words, connecting sounds to letters and letter combinations. This includes both consonants and vowels, building upon the knowledge progressively.
Spelling: Directly tied to phonics instruction, spelling activities reinforce the learned letter-sound relationships. Students spell words based on the sounds they've learned, developing automatic spelling skills.
Reading: Students apply their phonics and phonemic awareness skills to read decodable texts. This provides crucial practice in applying their newly acquired skills to authentic reading situations.
Writing: Students practice writing words and sentences, applying their phonics knowledge to produce written text. This reinforces their understanding of letter-sound correspondences and spelling patterns.

Fundations Level 1 Scope and Sequence: A Detailed Breakdown

The Fundations Level 1 program is typically divided into units or lessons, each focusing on specific skills and concepts. The exact breakdown may vary slightly depending on the specific implementation, but a general overview includes:

Unit 1: Introduction to Sounds and Letters

Phonemic Awareness: Identifying beginning and ending sounds.
Phonics: Introduction to consonants such as /m/, /s/, /t/, /p/, /n/.
Spelling: Writing simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words.
Reading: Reading simple CVC words.

Unit 2: Expanding Consonant Sounds and Blending

Phonemic Awareness: Blending and segmenting CVC words.
Phonics: Introduction to additional consonants and consonant blends (e.g., /bl/, /br/, /fl/).
Spelling: Spelling CVC words with various consonants.
Reading: Reading CVC words with consonant blends.

Unit 3: Short Vowel Sounds and CVCe Words

Phonemic Awareness: Manipulating sounds within words.
Phonics: Introduction to short vowel sounds (/a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/). Introduction to CVCe words (silent e).
Spelling: Spelling CVCe words.
Reading: Reading CVCe words and simple sentences.

Unit 4: Digraphs and Diphthongs

Phonemic Awareness: Identifying and manipulating digraphs and diphthongs.
Phonics: Introduction to consonant digraphs (e.g., /sh/, /ch/, /th/) and diphthongs (e.g., /oi/, /ou/).
Spelling: Spelling words with digraphs and diphthongs.
Reading: Reading sentences and short stories containing digraphs and diphthongs.

Unit 5: R-Controlled Vowels and Other Vowel Combinations

Phonemic Awareness: Advanced manipulation of sounds in longer words.
Phonics: Introduction to r-controlled vowels (e.g., ar, er, ir, or, ur) and other vowel combinations.
Spelling: Spelling words with r-controlled vowels and vowel teams.
Reading: Reading increasingly complex sentences and stories.

(Note: This is a simplified representation. The actual number of units and the specific skills covered within each unit may vary based on the specific Fundations Level 1 curriculum being used.)

How to Best Utilize the Fundations Level 1 Scope and Sequence

This scope and sequence acts as a roadmap. By understanding the progression of skills, parents and educators can:

Provide targeted support: Identify areas where a student may need extra help.
Reinforce learning: Use supplementary activities at home to reinforce what's learned in the classroom.
Track progress: Monitor a student's growth throughout the program.

Fundations Level 1 lays a strong groundwork for future literacy success. By understanding its scope and sequence, we can best support young learners in their journey to becoming confident and proficient readers and writers. Remember to consult your specific Fundations Level 1 materials for the most accurate and detailed scope and sequence.